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Western Governors Forge Wildfire Recovery Partnership Amid FEMA Concerns
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In response to escalating post-fire flooding and perceived inadequacies in federal aid,governors from New Mexico,Utah,Colorado,and Wyoming are formalizing a multi-state agreement to bolster wildfire recovery efforts. The announcement, made at the Western Governors’ Association (WGA) meeting in Santa Fe, New Mexico, highlights growing anxieties about the increasing impacts of floods following major wildfires and the crucial role of agencies like FEMA.
Governors Unite to Tackle Post-fire Flooding Crisis
The panel discussion, entitled “Flood after Fire – Enhancing Safety in post-Fire Landscapes,” brought together state governors, emergency response officials, and a federal landslide scientist to address the increasingly widespread issue of post-fire flooding. The governors emphasized that hotter and larger wildfires across the region are exacerbating the problem, leading to dangerous floods and debris flows even with moderate rainfall on burned terrain.
Did You No? Wildfires release nutrients into the soil and are an integral part of ecological succession, plant germination, and soil enhancement [[1]].
New Mexico’s ongoing recovery from the devastating 2022 Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon fire continues to be hampered by severe flooding across the 534-square-mile burn scar, impacting communities and critical infrastructure, including the Las Vegas water treatment plant. As of the WGA event, six wildfires were actively burning across New Mexico.
FEMA’s role Under Scrutiny
Although no FEMA representatives were present at the WGA meeting, the agency’s performance and future role were recurring topics of discussion. FEMA was referenced more than ten times, often in the context of its limitations in addressing secondary wildfire impacts. Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico have recently criticized FEMA’s existing policies, stating that the agency has “repeatedly struggled to respond effectively” to cascading disasters like landslides, flooding, and water system failures.
Pro Tip: Wildfire smoke contains particulate matter (PM) that poses a significant public health threat, perhaps causing premature deaths and exacerbating diseases [[2]].
the senators have urged FEMA to update its procedures for post-fire disaster response to better address these complex challenges.
Call for Regional Coordination
Collin Haffey, a post-fire recovery leader formerly with the New Mexico Forestry Division, advocated for a formal agreement between Western states to strengthen regional coordination self-reliant of federal agency involvement. Haffey emphasized that current coordination frequently enough relies on personal relationships rather than institutional systems, which can put lives and recovery at risk.
Haffey called for the WGA to establish a formal agreement that would strengthen regional coordination independent of federal agency involvement.
WGA Leadership Pledges Action
Utah governor Spencer Cox, newly appointed as the chair of the Western Governors’ Association, has committed to leading the development of a regional partnership between Western states to improve preparedness and response to post-fire flooding. While participants did not outline a formal structure during the meeting, they agreed to begin shaping a cooperative framework, with discussions expected to continue under Cox’s leadership.
According to the National Interagency Fire Center, as of June 2025, over 25,000 wildfires have burned more than 2.5 million acres across the United States [[3]]. this highlights the urgent need for proactive and coordinated wildfire recovery efforts.
Key Wildfire statistics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Acres Burned (Year to Date) | 2.5 Million+ |
| Number of Wildfires (Year to Date) | 25,000+ |
| States involved in WGA Partnership | 4 |
What innovative solutions can be implemented to mitigate post-fire flooding risks? How can communities better prepare for the long-term impacts of wildfires?
Evergreen Insights: Understanding Wildfire recovery
Wildfires are a natural part of many ecosystems, but increasingly frequent and intense fires, driven by climate change and land management practices, pose significant challenges to communities and the environment. Post-fire recovery involves a range of activities, including erosion control, reforestation, infrastructure repair, and community support. Effective recovery requires collaboration between government agencies, non-profit organizations, and local residents.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wildfire Recovery
What is post-fire flooding?
Post-fire flooding occurs when rainfall on burned terrain results in increased runoff, leading to flash floods, mudslides, and debris flows. The loss of vegetation and changes in soil
